University of North Carolina Athletics
Thursday, May 13
Cary, N.C.
8:30
North Carolina
18-2-0, 9-0-0
1
vs
3
Santa Clara
10-1-0, 6-1-0
1
2
F
Santa Clara
1
2
3
North Carolina
0
1
1
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Women's Soccer Comes Up Short In NCAA Semifinal Match
May 13, 2021 | Women's Soccer
CARY, N.C. – No. 2 North Carolina's run to its 23rd National Championship ended on Thursday night in the NCAA tournament semifinal against No. 11 Santa Clara (10-1-0), as the Tar Heels (18-2-0) fell 3-1 to the West Coast Conference champions at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The Tar Heels took two quick shots to open the contest in the first two minutes, but Maycee Bell's shot went left and Brianna Pinto's attempt was blocked. Pinto's shot came on a free kick just outside the 18 which was blocked by the Bronco's wall.
After an impressive save from Dickey in the 10th minute, Isabel Cox put a shot on goal that was saved by the Bronco goalkeeper.
Santa Clara made the most of its attempts on goal and put its third shot in the back of the net in the 20th minute. It was the first goal that North Carolina had surrendered since Nov. 15 against Florida State in the ACC Championship game, a 3-2 loss.
The Tar Heels and Broncos went back-and-forth for the rest of the half and the Broncos held a 1-0 lead entering the break. Carolina recorded seven first-half shots, two on goal, while Santa Clara claimed five shots, with three on net. Pinto led UNC at the break with a pair of shots.
North Carolina evened the match in the in 51st minute when Sam Meza passed the ball through the box left-to-right to Pinto, who buried the shot right in front of the net to score her team-high 14th goal of the season.
Just 30 second later, Santa Clara answered and retook the lead with their second goal of the match.
The Broncos took a two-goal lead in the 60th minute when SCU's Skylar Smith collected her own rebound and scored in the back-left of the net. The two-goal lead marked just the 28th time in the history of the program the Tar Heels had found themselves down by two goals.
The final would end there- and Carolina's 39th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 39 years would end with the two-goal loss.
Carolina held a 4-3 corner kick advantage but was outshot 12-10. Dickey made six saves throughout the 90 minutes.
The match marked Pinto's final game in Carolina Blue, as she was selected with the No. 3 pick in the NWSL draft by Sky Blue FC. She ended her stellar Carolina as a two-time All-American, a three-time member of the All-ACC First Team, and a MAC Hermann trophy finalist.
With the defeat, North Carolina's all-time record stands at 889-78-41.
The Tar Heels took two quick shots to open the contest in the first two minutes, but Maycee Bell's shot went left and Brianna Pinto's attempt was blocked. Pinto's shot came on a free kick just outside the 18 which was blocked by the Bronco's wall.
After an impressive save from Dickey in the 10th minute, Isabel Cox put a shot on goal that was saved by the Bronco goalkeeper.
Santa Clara made the most of its attempts on goal and put its third shot in the back of the net in the 20th minute. It was the first goal that North Carolina had surrendered since Nov. 15 against Florida State in the ACC Championship game, a 3-2 loss.
The Tar Heels and Broncos went back-and-forth for the rest of the half and the Broncos held a 1-0 lead entering the break. Carolina recorded seven first-half shots, two on goal, while Santa Clara claimed five shots, with three on net. Pinto led UNC at the break with a pair of shots.
North Carolina evened the match in the in 51st minute when Sam Meza passed the ball through the box left-to-right to Pinto, who buried the shot right in front of the net to score her team-high 14th goal of the season.
Just 30 second later, Santa Clara answered and retook the lead with their second goal of the match.
The Broncos took a two-goal lead in the 60th minute when SCU's Skylar Smith collected her own rebound and scored in the back-left of the net. The two-goal lead marked just the 28th time in the history of the program the Tar Heels had found themselves down by two goals.
The final would end there- and Carolina's 39th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 39 years would end with the two-goal loss.
Carolina held a 4-3 corner kick advantage but was outshot 12-10. Dickey made six saves throughout the 90 minutes.
The match marked Pinto's final game in Carolina Blue, as she was selected with the No. 3 pick in the NWSL draft by Sky Blue FC. She ended her stellar Carolina as a two-time All-American, a three-time member of the All-ACC First Team, and a MAC Hermann trophy finalist.
With the defeat, North Carolina's all-time record stands at 889-78-41.
Team Stats
SCU
NC
Goals
3
1
Shots
12
10
Shots on Goal
9
5
Saves
4
6
Corners
3
4
Fouls
8
13
Scoring Plays
Izzy D'Aquila (8)
Slipped shot under GK after misplay by UNC defenders inside penalty area
19:31
Brianna Pinto (14)
Assisted By: Sam Meza , Rachel Jones
GOAL by NC Pinto, Brianna Assist by Meza, Sam and Jones, Rachel.
50:18
Kelsey Turnbow (9)
Assisted By: Izzy D'Aquila
GOAL by SCU Turnbow, Kelsey Assist by D'Aquila, Izzy.
50:48
Skylar Smith (4)
GOAL by SCU Smith, Skylar.
59:41
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's SoccerMidfielder
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